Veulettes, France, October 9, 1884

Parrish’s adornment on this envelope reveals two conflicting concepts. The first is that the paper of the envelope is reinforced and secure as revealed by the strap hinges drawn at the upper edges of the envelope, the studded edge of the back flap, and the hinged lock and key over the point of the flap. The conflicting concept is that the envelope could be rent by the top-hated head poking through the shaded flaps of drawn paper. Parrish often sketched a crack or split on the paper with a face peeking through. These drawn fissures imply that there is another reality beyond the paper--into the imagination.